MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. -
Rhode Island registered 21 hits and scored 18 runs to defeat the No. 19 UConn baseball team 18-3 on Friday afternoon in the Huskies' opening game of the Cougar Invitational at the College of Charleston.

The Rams struck early in the top of the first with two runs then added two in the fifth inning to take a 4-0 lead. URI's bats continued to work in the late innings as the Rams combined for 14 runs on 14 hits throughout the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

The Huskies' three runs came in the bottom of the seventh as John Sulzicki pinch hit for UConn, starting the frame with a base hit into center field. For the junior it was just his second at-bat of the season and his first hit of the year. After the Rams recorded two outs in the frame, junior Tim Martin doubled down the right field line to score Sulzicki and put the Huskies on the board.

Mike Nemeth followed with his 60th career double as he plated two Huskies to cut the URI lead to six at 9-3.

Elliot Glynn (0-4) struggled in his fifth start of the season as he went five innings, allowing seven hits, four earned runs and three walks. Redshirt junior Ted Hurvul made his first appearance of 2011 as he gave up three hits and five runs in 1.1 innings of work.

Stephen Catalina also made an appearance out of the bullpen for the Huskies as he allowed eight runs on eight hits, while walking two and striking out two batters. Ryan Moore was the third UConn hurler to throw in the contest. He gave up three hits and one earned run, while striking out a career-high three batters in 1.1 innings of work.

Rhode Island out-hit the Huskies 21-11 on the afternoon as the Rams were led by Tom Coulombe, who finished with three doubles and four RBI.

George Springer led the Huskies with a 2-for-2 performance, while Ryan Fuller finished the contest with a double as he extended his hitting streak to seven games. Freshman Tom Verdi went 2-for-4 in his first multiple-hit game of his career, while Moore finished the day 2-for-4 with one run scored. Nemeth added one hit and one RBI to improve his hitting streak to nine consecutive games.

Rhode Island's Chris Pickering earned the win to improve to 3-1 on the year. He went 6.2 innings as he allowed nine hits and three runs. Mike Bradstreet finished out the game for the Rams as he pitched 2.1 scoreless innings.

UConn will face the College of Charleston on Saturday afternoon in its second game of the Cougar Invitational. The Cougars are ranked No. 20 in the nation according to Baseball America and will host the Huskies in the non-conference battle, which is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.